Thurman M. Davis

Karen Jackson

Previously, Ms. Jackson was General Deputy, Chief Technology Officer within the
Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).  The OCIO provides oversight of HUD’s Information Technology (IT) enterprise development, operations, maintenance, security and portfolio management activities.  In addition, she helped oversee the OCIO’s technical agenda that included IT Reform, Operations, Capital Planning and Investment Management, eGovernment, Security, and Enterprise Architecture.

Also, Ms. Jackson served in critical roles within HUD Headquarters.  Ms. Jackson was Associate General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, where she managed and led the Department's administrative operation.  She achieved significant accomplishments for the organization and the Department's overall administrative mission and goals.  Preceding that position, Ms. Jackson was Director for the Office of Administration and Management Services, where she managed Headquarters and field office facilities and building operations. Another key leadership position held by Ms. Jackson at HUD Headquarters was within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Budget.  She was the Director, Administrative Expenses Division.  Her mission as Director was to advise internal offices on Departmental Salaries and Expenses (S&E) policies, issues, regulations and to oversee the formulation and execution of a $1 billion S&E budget.

Since joining HUD, she has been recognized with outstanding achievement awards in several organizations, including a Distinguished Service Award. She is a graduate and award recipient from the John F. Kennedy Harvard School of Government and a Council for Excellence in Government Fellow Alumnae.

Ms. Jackson is a native of Monroe, Louisiana.  She and her husband have three children. Ms. Jackson graduated magna cum laude from Grambling State University and she holds a Master of Arts degree from George Washington University.  She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and an active member of several boards.

Carolyn Alston

As General Counsel, Carolyn provides legal counsel to WMG’s federal acquisition consulting operations. She has extensive and varied experience in the development, implementation and application of commercial acquisition laws and policies. As former Assistant Commissioner for Acquisition at GSA’s Federal Supply Service, and Multiple Award Schedule Program Coordinator she managed the agency’s successful GSA Schedules program. In addition, Carolyn also worked for many years as a senior attorney in GSA’s Office of General Counsel. Carolyn is a member of the Maryland and DC bar. She has one daughter, Karey.

Mirinda Jackson

Mirinda Jackson is President of MJA, Inc., a small woman owned business located in Accokeek, Maryland. The company is incorporated in Maryland and provides procurement related including the Federal Supply Schedules Program for small businesses, outreach, marketing, executive coaching and consultant services.

Ms. Jackson completed a distinguish 34- year career with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) working in various contracting, managerial, and executive level positions at the agency's headquarters in Washington, DC. In these positions, she gained vast experience in federal procurement policies and procedures, and an extensive background in marketing, business development, community outreach, small business programs, policies and procedures.

Ms Jackson continues to be a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars, workshops, and other outreach events throughout the country on federal contracting policies and procedures, small business issues, marketing strategies and techniques, and other efforts to increase access to procurement opportunities for the small business community.

Ms. Jackson has a Masters in Government Contracting from the George Washington University School of Business and Public Management, Washington DC. She is a graduate of the Minority Business Executive Programs (Basic and Advanced Levels) The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire and the Executive Development Programs sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management at Lancaster, PA and Denver, CO.

Ms. Jackson has a number of professional affiliations and has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the small business community

Cecelia L. Davis

Cecelia was appointed Treasurer for the Board of Directors in 2005, and has held the position of Treasurer in other organizations and has performed exceptionally.

She is a Procurement Analyst in the Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer at the General Services Administration (GSA), where she is responsible for writing/revising Government-wide and agency contract policy and serves as an analyst on the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council.

Before becoming a Procurement Analyst in the Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer, she served as a Contracting Officer/Procurement Analyst in the Public Buildings Service in Central Office and a Contract Specialist in GSA’s National Capital Region.

She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC and a Master of Public Administration from American University, Washington, DC. Over the years, Cecelia has received various awards recognizing her outstanding performance within the General Services Administration and for her public service contributions. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Federally Employed Women, Blacks in Government, National Association for Executive Females, National Contract Management Association, where she received the Washington, DC chapter’s 2004 Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship Award and American University’s Executive Education Advisory Board.

Harry L. Staley

Owner Operator - McDonald’s
Anna’D. Foods, Inc.

With an interest in technology, which was spurred by the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996—allowing small business market entry, Harry Staley established Prime Business Solutions to build sales in local and long-distance telephone services and Internet access to small and mid-sized businesses. Mr. Staley was also chairman and chief information officer for Omega Technologies, Inc., where he positioned Omega as a prime contractor and industry partner for the U.S. General Services Administration on four government-wide acquisition contracts. In addition to his work in telecommunications, he and his wife are owner/operators of seven McDonald’s franchises in New Jersey and members of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association (NBMOA). He is also active in the McDonald’s Children’s Charities programs.

Mr. Staley is a 1988 graduate of Excelsior College with a major in political science. He earned a Master of Arts from Webster University in1998 in computer resources and information management. He also earned a post-graduate Executive Master’s Certificate from the University of Maryland University College and professional certification from the U.S. General Services Administration, GSA CIO University for the designation of Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Mr. Staley is an expert member of the Business Technology Management Institute, a member of Leadership Greater Washington, and member Board of Trustees at Excelsior College.

Richard Elihu Payne

Pianist, Speaker, Recording Artist

Richard is a native of Westmoreland Country, Virginia. He began formal piano lessons at the age of seven. Richard is a graduate of Virginia State University and Howard University with degrees in music. In addition, he received the prestigious Kodaly Music Certification from the University of North Texas. Richard's recordings include Unconditional Love, a meditative collection of originals and a two CD’s, Dedications and the latest release, Velocity. He is described as "soul and spirit" at the piano. Richard has performed extensively as a soloist, accompanist and with the Richard Payne Trio providing a total experience for the body, mind, and soul. Richard’s style is considered Neo-Classical bridging the gap between classical, blues, jazz and gospel. The other members of the Richard Payne Trio are the very talented Rudy Spruill, bassist; and Roderick Johnson, percussionist.

Richard is Co-Founder of FAME, The Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education, Inc. a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit,  www.FAMEorg.org.  Richard serves on the Board of the Washington National Opera. He is a professional speaker, music consultant and coach for musicians and organizations.

For additional information visit: www.richardpaynetrio.com or email: Richardpaynetrio@comcast.net.

Arethia Toni Lewis

As President of The Perfect Plan of Greater Washington (TPP), Toni is responsible for marketing, strategic planning and business development for businesses in the areas of information technology, information management, facilities management, and event management. Our current emphasis is to facilitate and broker business ventures that encourage diversity at multiple socioeconomic levels.

Prior to TPP, Toni held a number of key executive level positions at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).  As Acting Deputy Chief of Staff to GSA’s Administrator and Deputy Administrator, Toni served as a principal in the day-to-day operation of the nationwide agency.  She served as Chief of Staff for Electronic Government and held several other key leadership positions in acquisition, policy, and human resources.  GSA coordinates federal policy and provides services to other Federal agencies in the areas of real estate and construction, supply and service procurement, telecommunications and information technology and motor vehicle and travel management.   Toni served as Executive Officer to the Deputy Administrator during two administrations and had 31 years of Federal experience.

Another key assignment was Chief Operating Officer, of the GSA Presidential Inaugural Committee included the management and direction of professionals from various functional areas, including acquisition, information technology, telecommunications, physical and personnel security, construction, facilities management, and budget. She provided overall coordination with the Presidential Inaugural Committee and other support arms to the transition:  Armed Forces, District of Columbia, and National Park Service.  Toni’s creative leadership resulted in substantial cost savings for the Government and the assignment was completed in the shortest timeframe of any inaugural (33 days) due to the contested election.

Toni retired early from the Federal government in 2005 to manage a nonprofit she co-founded with Richard E. Payne in 2004, The Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education Inc. (FAME). FAME is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, which seeks to positively affect the lives of children, teens, and young adults who aspire to make both music and educational achievement a lifelong journey.

Toni received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the District of Columbia Teachers College and is certified by George Washington University in the following disciplines: Contracting & Acquisition, Project Management and Event Management.

She has been presented with recognition from numerous Federal, humanitarian and philanthropic entities.

P. O. Box 2228 - Bowie, MD 20718 - 301-805-0059, tlewis@perfectplan.com